The Diamond Shop offers a fantastic selection of engagement rings
Engagement Rings
Choosing an engagement ring is one of the most meaningful decisions you’ll ever make. It’s a symbol of your love, your commitment, and the unique story you share with your partner. At The Diamond Shop in Clayton, MO, our family has been helping St. Louis couples find and create their perfect engagement rings since 1910 – and we’re here to help you too.
Our team of non-commission jewelry professionals will sit with you for as long as it takes to find or design the right ring. We carry a wide selection of designer settings in every style and price range, along with both natural and lab-grown loose diamonds. custom engagement rings are our specialty – our in-house designer, Thom Kohn, is a GIA-trained Graduate Gemologist who creates one-of-a-kind pieces through our Thomas Farley Designer Brand. Whether you know exactly what you want or need help figuring it out, we’ll make sure your decision is an informed one.
Engagement Ring Styles
The three main components of an engagement ring are the style, the setting, and the diamond shape. Mix and match any combination to create something your partner will cherish forever. The style refers to the overall design that the setting and diamond work together to create. The most popular engagement ring styles include:
Solitaire Style
The solitaire features a single diamond at the center, drawing all attention to the brilliance of one stone. While the round cut is the most popular choice for a solitaire, this versatile style works beautifully with any diamond shape. It’s a timeless, classic look that never goes out of fashion.
Three Stone Style
A three stone engagement ring highlights a larger center diamond flanked by two smaller complementary stones. Often said to represent the past, present, and future of a relationship, this design offers a unique and eye-catching look with added sparkle and symbolism.
Halo Style
The halo style surrounds a center stone with a ring of smaller diamonds, creating the visual effect of a larger, more brilliant diamond. This is one of the most popular styles we sell at The Diamond Shop. We offer single and double halo options in white gold, yellow gold, and rose gold to suit any preference.
Engagement Ring Settings
The engagement ring setting describes how stones are set, or mounted, onto the metal band. Diamonds are set within mountings that accommodate each specific shape and size of stone. The various types of settings are meant to highlight the sparkle and beauty of a center diamond. We offer numerous setting options, all created with the utmost care in mind. They include:
Cathedral Setting
The shank of a cathedral setting curves upward on each side, resembling the arched ceilings of a cathedral. This elevates the center stone above the band for a dramatic, classic look. It’s an excellent choice if you want your diamond to be the absolute focal point of the ring. One thing to keep in mind: the raised profile can occasionally catch on things, so it’s worth considering your lifestyle when choosing this option.
Prong Setting
The most popular setting type, the prong (also called a “claw” setting) uses small metal arms to hold the diamond securely above the band. This allows maximum light to enter the stone from all angles, producing exceptional sparkle. A standard four-prong setting shows more of the diamond, while a six-prong offers additional security.
Bead Setting
Small raised metal beads hold the gemstone in place, often with additional accent stones lining the band. The metal beads reflect light alongside the diamonds, creating a cohesive sparkle effect across the entire ring.
Channel Setting
Diamonds are set between two parallel walls of metal within the band itself. Channel settings are praised for their smooth, snag-free surface and seamless flow of light. This makes them durable, stylish, and easy to wear everyday; a great choice for active lifestyles.
Pavé Setting
Derived from the French word for “pavement,” a pavé setting features tiny diamonds set closely together across the band’s surface. The result is a continuous, dazzling sparkle that makes the ring appear to shimmer from every angle. If maximum brilliance is your goal, pavé delivers.
Diamond Shapes
The center diamond is what most people notice first. Each shape has its own character, sparkle pattern, and visual effect. Our GIA-trained staff will help you understand the quality and proportions of any diamond you’re considering, ensuring it looks stunning from every angle. Here are the shapes we carry:
Round Brilliant Cut
The most popular diamond shape worldwide, the round brilliant maximizes the reflection of light for unmatched sparkle. Its universal shape works within any setting style, making it a versatile choice for those who love a classic look.
Princess Cut
The princess cut features a square or rectangular face-up shape that blends modern geometric lines with exceptional brilliance. It’s the second most popular choice for engagement rings and pairs well with nearly any setting.
Emerald Cut
With its rectangular step cut, open table, and cropped corners, the emerald shape emphasizes clarity over sparkle. Its long, elegant silhouette creates a sophisticated look, and when set vertically, it can make the finger appear longer.
Cushion Cut
Often called the “pillow cut” for its square shape with softly rounded corners, the cushion cut features large facets that produce a beautiful, vintage-inspired brilliance. It’s a popular choice for those who want a romantic, antique feel.
Oval Cut
An elongated version of the round brilliant, the oval offers comparable sparkle with a more distinctive silhouette. The oblong shape has the added benefit of making the finger appear longer and more slender – a feature many of our customers love.
Marquise Cut Shape
The marquise (also called the Navette cut) features curved sides and pointed ends, creating a bold, regal shape. Like the emerald and oval, its elongated form can create the illusion of a longer finger while delivering impressive sparkle.
Radiant Cut Shape
The radiant cut combines the shape of an emerald with deep-cut facets that produce significant sparkle and fire. Its eight trimmed corners add durability and prevent chipping, making it an excellent choice for everyday wear.
Pear Shape
The pear (or teardrop) shape blends elements of the oval and marquise into a distinctive, tapered silhouette. This increasingly popular cut offers a unique balance of modern and vintage style that looks especially striking as a center stone.
Asscher Cut Shape
The asscher’s octagonal shape features large step facets and a symmetrical design that produces dramatic flashes of light. While beautiful in any setting, the asscher performs best in higher clarity diamonds that allow its clean lines to truly shine.
How It Works: Your Engagement Ring Journey at The Diamond Shop
Not sure where to start? That’s completely normal – most of our customers feel the same way when they first walk in. Here’s what the process looks like:
Step 1: Book Your Appointment. Schedule a time that works for you, or simply walk in during business hours. We recommend appointments for engagement ring shopping so we can give you our full, undivided attention. Evening hours are available on Thursdays until 7:30 PM.
Step 2: Explore Your Options. One of our non-commission jewelry professionals will sit down with you to discuss your vision, preferences, and budget. We’ll show you a range of styles, settings, and loose diamonds side-by-side so you can compare them in person. We’ll also walk you through the 4 C’s (cut, color, clarity, and carat weight) so you understand exactly what you’re looking at.
Step 3: Choose or Custom Design Your Ring. Select from our existing inventory of engagement rings, or work with our team to design a completely custom piece. Custom designs involve a consultation with Thom Kohn, our GIA-trained Graduate Gemologist and in-house designer, who will bring your ideas to life.
Step 4: Ring Completion and Sizing. For in-stock rings, we can often complete sizing and any adjustments within a few days. Custom engagement rings typically take 4-6 weeks depending on design complexity. We’ll keep you informed every step of the way.
Step 5: Ongoing Care. Your relationship with The Diamond Shop doesn’t end at checkout. We offer professional cleaning, inspection, repair, resizing, and appraisal services for the life of your ring. Many of our customers have been coming back for decades – and even generations.
Engagement Ring Pricing: What to Expect
We understand that budget is one of the biggest considerations when shopping for an engagement ring. At The Diamond Shop, we carry rings across a wide range of price points, and our non-commission team will never pressure you to spend more than you’re comfortable with.
The cost of an engagement ring depends on several factors that are unique to each customer. The diamond shape, carat weight, cut quality, color, and clarity all play a role in pricing, as does whether you choose a natural or lab-grown stone. The type of metal (white gold, yellow gold, rose gold, or platinum) and the complexity of the setting also affect the final price. A simple solitaire will cost less than an intricate custom halo design, and a lab-grown diamond will generally be more affordable than a comparable natural diamond.
Because every ring is different, the best way to understand pricing is to come in and talk with our team. We’ll walk you through your options, explain how each choice affects the overall cost, and help you build a ring that fits both your vision and your budget. Custom design consultations are always free.
We also offer financing through the Jewelers Reserve® credit card, which includes 6 months same-as-cash on purchases over $150 and a Major Purchase plan at 11.99% APR for up to 36 months. There’s no annual fee, and you can apply quickly in-store.
Why St. Louis Couples Choose The Diamond Shop
There are dozens of jewelry stores in the St. Louis metro area. Here’s why generations of families have trusted The Diamond Shop for their engagement rings:
Over 115 Years of Experience: Founded in 1910, The Diamond Shop is one of the longest-operating jewelry stores in the St. Louis area. The Kohn family has owned and operated the store since 1948, and today Thom and Mona Kohn continue that tradition of excellence from our Clayton location.
GIA-Trained Graduate Gemologist On-Site: Owner Thom Kohn graduated from the Gemological Institute of America in 1976. When you shop with us, you’re getting guidance from someone with decades of hands-on gemological expertise – not a seasonal retail associate.
Non-Commission Sales Team: Our staff has no incentive to upsell you. Their only goal is to help you find the engagement ring that fits your taste, your story, and your budget. This pressure-free approach is one of the things our customers mention most in their reviews.
Custom Design Specialists: Through our in-house Thomas Farley Designer Brand, Thom creates custom engagement rings from the ground up. Bring us your ideas, a family heirloom to redesign, or just an inspiration photo – we’ll work together to make it real.
Natural and Lab-Grown Diamonds: We carry a large selection of loose diamonds in every shape, cut, carat, color, and clarity. Whether you prefer a natural diamond or a lab-grown alternative, we’ll educate you on the differences and help you choose what’s right for you.
On-Site Jewelers and Repair: Our skilled professionals perform all work at our Clayton store using advanced equipment. From custom builds to future repairs, resizing, and appraisals – everything is handled in-house by people you know and trust.
Find Your Perfect Engagement Ring in St. Louis
Whatever your style, budget, or timeline, the engagement ring you’re looking for is at The Diamond Shop. We’ve been helping St. Louis couples start their next chapter for over 115 years, and our family-owned commitment to honesty, quality, and exceptional service is why customers keep coming back – generation after generation.
Visit us at 12 N Central Ave in Clayton, MO, or book your appointment today. We can’t wait to be part of your story.